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Reflections in the 2023
Rearview Mirror

2023 has been filled with the usual challenges in our parish, corporate church, and personal lives.

Financially. we have transitioned from some of the lowest interest rates in our country, to a shocking number of increases imposed by the Bank of Canada. This has affected each of us in various ways. As a parish, we adopted a deficit budget for 2023 last February. With God's grace,  we have weathered the finances ahead of the financial predictions,  with a lower-than-expected deficit at year end.

Each week, I have identified a variety of themes to share with you here. Today, I will review some of those topics with you.

  1. The Challenge of Changes: Changes are always challenging. On more than one occasion, we have shared how we live with change. We share the anxiety of change; some of us wear it on “our sleeve,” and some internalize it. One of the ‘positives’ of change is the experience of ‘new possibilities.’
    The question could be: what does our Lord have in store for us in 2024?

  2. Changes in the Church’s Agenda: One challenge the church has is ‘how to fit into the culture of the day.’ Where are we to be? Are we called to fit into all of the cultural changes? As a parish, we continue to share a portion of our weekly Sunday worship through electronic communication via Facebook, and on our website. The troublesome question is, for how long? Personally, I ask how many of our own congregation take advantage of this gift, or how many people from around the world are we reaching? I know our Lord would say, ‘It is not for us to question.’

  3. Leadership at The Parish Level: It is a topic we often address. At St. John’s, we are fortunate to have a strong lay-leadership team. This team is not just your Parish Council, or all the other identified leaders. As well, we have a whole team of “leadership leaders” offering many services in our parish. It might be interesting to note, in one month, the various ministries in the parish.

  4. Parish Conversations: Church culture often makes it difficult to speak openly with others about parish life. This year, with the Duncan Housing Project, these conversations have not all been easy. My personal prayer is for all to know your elected leadership team is open to hearing your observations without judgement. The result is: there is no ‘triangulation in parish life.’ If you share a concern with a warden or other Council member, this is shared (or is to be) shared with the whole.

  5. Last, 'In What Season Are We?' There are liturgical seasons, and seasons of nature. Congregations also experience a variety of seasons in Parish Life. These seasons also change constantly. The challenge is for parish leadership to keep ahead of the program. At all times, we need to be prepared for the next season of change.

I look forward to what the next year will present for us, and I look forward to walking with you. (See you in 2024 – with a possible 'name- change' to this time with you.)

Blessings for the year past and the future, 
Archdeacon, Brian+